On Assignment- The United Nations

Days of Shooting-2

Location-Vietnam

Description-Shoot a small photo-essay for UNAIDS for promotional use worldwide of their community programs. Also shoot for a poster UNAIDS is making for one if their programs working with HIV positive children.

I first met the UNAIDS communications officer at their office where we discussed the overall story. We had a quick deadline for their head office in NYC so I was to shoot for 2 days and have the images delivered within a few days.

We met the following day bright and early and headed over to meet Ngan. Ngan is HIV positive with one child and another on the way. She contracted HIV from her husband who was a former drug addict. Ngan is an active member in her community working in support groups and awareness groups. She received training as a support group facilitator from UNAIDS and the UN wanted to document her story.

Even though this would be considered a commercial shoot, I approached it as a documentary photography and just let the day unfold naturally.

It can be odd having a stranger never mind a foreigner shadowing you around all day but Ngan was extremely graceful and quite comfortable with me. She’s such a busy woman.  I followed her to group meetings, an outreach program,  her ultrasound an health examination, to her drop off and pick her son up from school, and then back at home to cook dinner and do daily chores. I was tired from just watching all the things she did.

The following day I shot for their poster. We followed some children who are HIV positive to a local playground and did some portraits along with natural moments.

Thank you to Hue from UNAIDS, it was a pleasure working with you. Thank you to Ngan for letting me a part of your life for a couple days, you are a special woman. Also thank you to the children and their parents for allowing their children to take part in this.